Could your business take a ‘dog’ to help life-changing charity?

Support for a guide dog is not just for Christmas but is a year-round necessity.

Published:10:00Sunday 27 December 2015

Just as a puppy is not just for Christmas, a leading dog charity says its collection boxes are year-round commitments.

Guide Dogs Scotland is appealing for more businesses across the country to support its life-changing sight loss services - by taking in a Guide Dogs collection ‘dog’.

The distinctive life-size replicas can collect as much as £340 pounds a year for the charity, which it says will make a massive difference to someone with sight loss.

“Our life-sized dog collection boxes aren’t just for Christmas - they help to support life-changing services all year round,” said Joanna Stevenson, fundraiser with Guide Dogs Scotland.

“There are around 530 guide dog owners in Scotland, and each guide dog partnership costs around £50,000 to train and support through the dog’s working life.

“Guide Dogs doesn’t receive any government funding for this service, which relies entirely on public generosity.”

Joanna explained that by having a life-size dog collection boxes on their premises, prompting members of the public and customers to make a donation, businesses would be making a massive contribution to someone with sight loss.

“It couldn’t be simpler,” added Joanna. “We deliver the collection box and later, when you let us know it’s full, we’ll come and empty it too

Edinburgh guide dog owner Elaine MacKenzie said her life has changed immeasurably when she was paired with first guide dog, Imogen.

Said Elaine: “My guide dogs have opened up the world for me and I can now be as independent as anyone else.

“So I urge any local business that can to take in a collection box and start collecting for Guide Dogs Scotland.

“Help change the life of another person with sight loss just like me.”

Guide dogs are just one of the services offered by the charity. Its My Guide service provides volunteers to help people get out and about and Buddy Dogs work with partially sighted children and young people.

To find out about having a guide dogs collection box in your business, email Joanna.stevenson@guidedogs.org.uk